From the Principal's Desk

Ensuring Pittwater House is part of key organisations, and both engaging in, and responding to national debate, has been important to me over the years. This year is no different. Thus, I was in Canberra last week for a National Education Forum for Independent Schools. As we move into the crucial pre-Election weeks, the future of our sector is of particular concern. The cost-of-living challenge for all Australian families puts additional pressure on schooling choices, and for us, independent schooling, and therefore we need to ensure the next parliament is one that will be supportive of the 716,848 independent school students, or 18% of all students, across the country. 

Independent School Australia last week launched their policy priorities, School Choice Counts. As their material notes, “School Choice Counts, advocates for policies that protect family choice, support regional and remote schools, and promote collaboration across sectors to ensure every child has access to the education they deserve. This is about fairness and the future of our children. Every family should have the freedom to choose the education that aligns with their values without fear of being penalised or vilified.” 

Their first policy, Protecting Family Choice, asks that:

• There will be guaranteed stable federal per student funding to keep fees affordable for all families, preventing financial sacrifices that would limit educational choices.
• There is a commitment from all political parties to rule out funding cuts, ensuring that no independent school suffers due to policy shifts that burden families further. 

Over the coming weeks, I shall share more of these policies for these are critical for schools such as ours to maintain the opportunities central to a Pittwater House education. 

Although it seems hard to believe, we are now at the halfway point of the Term. As I wander the corridors, I am seeing and hearing good work; for Year 12 students, assessments are about to occur and of course, by the end of this term, their final year of schooling is half over. The importance of every day cannot be understated. For any member of our School.

Schooling though is a constant process of renewal. For just as I mention the rapid ending for our Year 12 students, I reflect on the large group of students who were on Campus two Saturdays ago, for the ACER Scholarship testing. Almost 250 students have applied for the Pittwater House scholarship program. Whilst the students were busily engaged completing a battery of tests, I took the chance to speak at length with these aspiring parents. It was the opportunity too for a group of our Year 11 students to speak with these families. My thanks to these students; the Class of 2026.

On Saturday, 8 March we celebrate International Women’s Day with the theme this year being #Accelerate Action. As the literature notes, “IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere.” 

Last Friday...IWD was a key focus of last week's Secondary Assembly; being an important reminder of progress made toward gender equality and the challenges yet to be overcome. As Finn shared, 'true progress happens when people work together, challenge outdated beliefs, and ensure that everyone - regardless of gender - has the chance to succeed'. Adele spoke of the reform movement and how the 'Accelerate Action' theme of 2025 is so important. And importantly, both boys and girls need to support each other in their journeys of self confidence in school and beyond.

In an interesting approach our Deputy Head Prefects Luke and Adele who lead CUPs and Big Bros, decided that they would swap the male and female leaders to accelerate this change in their meetings this week. I am indebted to our wonderful student leaders for all the work they are doing. It is always a day of great significance for us as a school of gender equality, where we celebrate and value difference. 

On Monday the TPHS Reading Hour took place. Just as we did in 2023, ALL staff and students spent one hour reading, or 10 minutes of each lesson. Whether it is reading for pleasure or fostering good reading habits, this time reminds us of the joy that reading offers. I am currently reading Lynn Santa Lucia’s First and Only Women, an account of some of history’s most inspiring women, trailblazers in a range of fields who singularly and collectively cleared a path for others to follow.

What are you reading now? And how are you sharing these stories with your children?

I look forward to hearing some of your stories when we next meet.

PHPA

In our crowded lives, diaries are critical.

Therefore, please mark your diary now with Wednesday 19 March at 6.30pm… we would love to see as many of you as possible for our Term 1 Meeting.

I look forward to seeing you in the Performing Arts Centre on this date, at this time.

New Members of Staff

Continuing my introduction of new members of Staff, it is my pleasure to share these comments below.

With every good wish.

Mrs Rachel Sommer - Junior School Teacher

My name is Rachel Sommer and I am thrilled to join the Junior School in 2025. I have arrived from the Hills Grammar School and after many years of commuting to the Hills District from the Northern Beaches, I am relishing the shorter drive and extra time with my family. I was lucky enough to spend some time at Pittwater House last year in a casual role and was enamoured by the welcoming staff, wonderful students and unique opportunities available including Friday trips to the beach for surf lessons! I am a mum to 3 children and enjoy mornings at the gym, beach walks and a moment to myself to read or sew. Thank you for the lovely warm welcome into the Pittwater House community!

Mr William Medcalf - PDHPE Faculty

I am impressed by the high expectations set for students and the remarkable effort they put into their studies. Meeting the parents of my form and classes has been a rewarding experience, one parent even connected me with a local senior cricket club where some of our students play in the junior sides.

Although I recently lived in Melbourne, I am originally from country NSW and am excited to be part of the PDHPE faculty here and taking the 8/9 boys touch footy side at Pittwater House.

I am committed to helping students make informed, real-world health choices, by teaching them about physical fitness, nutrition, and overall well-being. Having spent annual family holidays in this area since childhood, I feel I've slotted in seamlessly. I enjoy cycling, cricket and rugby league.

Mrs Rose Papalia - Diverse Learning Faculty

Hello, I’m Rose Papalia, and I’ve received the warmest of welcomes to the Pittwater House community!

Throughout my educational journey, I’ve had the pleasure of working at various schools on the North Shore and Northern Beaches. After many years of teaching Primary, I have delved into Diverse Learning. As an advocate for inclusive learning, I am humbled to support students who possess unique talents and skills while embracing the individual challenges that all learners face.

I’m lucky to share life’s adventures with my husband, two adult children, and our very spoiled Moodle, Enzo. During my down time I enjoy leisurely walks on the picturesque tracks of the Northern Beaches, cooking (especially sweets and treats), curling up with a great book or supporting the mighty Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval!

Mr Robert Lightowlers - HSIE Faculty

These first few weeks at Pittwater House have been particularly busy, as with the start of every year, but my first impression has overwhelmingly been one of support from all corners of the School. For that I am grateful. My teaching journey has seen the move from rainy London to sunny Sydney, but with the same motivation, to help students achieve to the best of their abilities, something I picked up during my own school days where I worked at the weekends coaching tennis. My mediocre (at best) surfing skills and a love for the outdoors have brought me to Sydney and I’m loving spending almost all my spare time running, playing tennis, surfing and enjoying all that the area has to offer.

Mrs Ciara Loughland - Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator

I am excited to be joining Pittwater House from Redlands where I was the K-6 Maths Specialist. This year I am looking forward to diving into all subjects and collaborating with the Junior School staff as the Junior School Curriculum Co-ordinator. Teaching has always been my passion; even as a child, I loved teaching my sisters new things. My interests include Maths, soccer, playing the piano and spending time outdoors. I’m a tea enthusiast and have a sweet tooth that I can’t resist. The warm and welcoming staff community at Pittwater House has truly impressed me and I am genuinely excited to be part of the TPHS family.

Mr Dean Heyman - Science Faculty

My name is Dean. I was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa but came to Australia for a better life as though South Africa is beautiful (I truly do recommend visiting), I didn’t think the conditions were ideal for raising children. While growing up, I played every sport under the sun, some at a higher level than others . However, from the age of 3, I wanted to become a Power Ranger and Power Rangers did karate. Hence upon turning 4, I have done karate – for the last 26 years (with a brief break during Covid). I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world because of it, competing at World Champs on multiple occasions. On the other hand, I have always been a rather gentle person only wanting to help rather than harm. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since the early age of 7, as I’ve always wanted to make a difference and help others succeed because it gives me joy to help others. That is very much my perception of Pittwater House as well and am looking forward to my time here.

Ms Louise Bracken - English Faculty

Hi there, I'm Louise, I'm a new English teacher at Pittwater House and I'm new to the Northern Beaches as well! I've been teaching in London for the past 4 years but decided to trade the harsh UK winter for some sun and the chance to work in a wonderful new place. My favourite author to teach is Shakespeare and I'm looking forward to exploring his texts with my excellent students.